The 23 Best Coastal Towns in Portugal, After Years of Return Trips

After three months based in Nazaré and years of trips up and down the Portuguese coast in every season. Of all the coastal towns in Portugal I have visited, these 19 are the ones I would go back to, and I have slept in most of them.

This is not a list of every beach town in the country. It is the towns that earned a return visit, organized north to south so you can build a coastal route out of them, with honest notes on where to stay, how to get there, and which ones work best as a base.

If you are short on time, here is my quick answer, then the full list.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small business.

Table of Contents

Toggle

All 23 Coastal Towns Compared

Here is every town in this guide at a glance, north to south, with my honest verdict on what each one is for and how long to give it.

Town	Region	Best for	Base or day trip?
Matosinhos	Porto coast	Seafood lunches, beach by metro	Day trip from Porto
Aveiro	North	Canals, art nouveau, ovos moles	Day trip or 1 night
Costa Nova	North	Striped houses, wide ocean beach	Day trip with Aveiro
Nazaré	Silver Coast	Giant waves October to March	Base, 2 to 3 nights
São Martinho do Porto	Silver Coast	Calm bay, easy swimming	Quiet base
Peniche	Silver Coast	Surf and the Berlengas islands	1 to 2 nights
Ericeira	Near Lisbon	Surf culture, seafood	Base for coast + Sintra
Azenhas do Mar	Near Lisbon	Clifftop village, one great meal	Day trip
Cascais	Near Lisbon	Easiest beach day without a car	Day trip or base
Costa da Caparica	Near Lisbon	The locals’ beach, long promenade	Day trip or beach base
Sesimbra	Near Lisbon	Fresh fish, castle, Arrábida water	1 to 2 nights
Setúbal	Near Lisbon	Fish market, choco frito, dolphins	Day trip or 1 night
Odeceixe	Costa Vicentina	The river-meets-ocean beach	Short stop
Aljezur	Costa Vicentina	Wild west coast beaches	1 to 2 nights
Sagres	Costa Vicentina	End of Europe cliffs, surf	1 to 2 nights
Lagos	Algarve	First trip base with everything	Base, 3+ nights
Ferragudo	Algarve	The fishing village the Algarve was	Day trip or quiet base
Carvoeiro	Algarve	Algar Seco, Benagil, Marinha	Base for the caves coast
Tavira	Algarve	Warm water, island beaches, calm	Base, eastern Algarve
Funchal	Madeira	Ocean pools, levadas, mild winters	Base for Madeira
Horta	Azores, Faial	The marina, whale watching	2 to 3 nights
Angra do Heroísmo	Azores, Terceira	UNESCO harbor town	Base for Terceira
Ponta Delgada	Azores, São Miguel	Lakes, hot springs, whale trips	Base, 4+ nights

Best Coastal Towns of Portugal map

Coastal towns in North Portugal

Even though Portugal is a tiny country, its coastline stretches over 1115 miles. And you can imagine that there are many beautiful and charming coastal towns to explore. So, here is a list of the 13 most beautiful coastal towns in Portugal, from north to south and islands.

1. Matosinhos

Matosinhos is where Porto goes to eat fish, and you can get there on the metro, although I had a great coastal walk from Porto and then I went back by metro. That combination alone earns it the first spot on this list going north to south: a wide sandy beach with surf schools on one side, and on the other a grid of streets where the seafood restaurants grill the morning’s catch over charcoal right on the sidewalk. Dom Peixe and Marisqueira Antiga are the two I would point you to first.

Between meals there is more history here than the port town look suggests.

The Castelo do Queijo fortress guards the seafront on the walk toward Porto, the church of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos holds one of northern Portugal’s most venerated statues, and the Monastery of Leça do Balio just inland has stood in some form for a thousand years.

Come for lunch, walk it off along the ocean, and ride the metro back to Porto by evening. As a solo day out from the city, it is about as effortless as Portugal gets.

2. Aveiro

Located just 44 miles south of Porto, Costa Nova is one of the most famous landmarks in Portugal and an excellent destination to spend a day away from the “northern capital” of Portugal.

People call Aveiro the Venice of Portugal, which oversells the gondola comparison and undersells the town. Yes, the colorful moliceiro boats glide along canals through the center, and yes, you should ride one, but they were working boats first, built to harvest seaweed from the lagoon, and their painted panels are cheerfully rude in a way Venice would never allow.

Around the canals, you find some of the best Art Nouveau facades in the country. I spent a full day in Aveiro during my road trip from Nazare to Braga and around.

Before you leave, eat ovos moles, the egg yolk sweets the town is famous for, from one of the pastry shops in the center rather than the boxes at the station. To be honest for me they are way too sweet but you should try them once.

Aveiro sits about 50 minutes south of Porto by train, which makes it an easy day trip, though staying a night lets you see the canals without the day crowds.

The Meliá Ria Hotel & Spa overlooks the central canal, and Hotel das Salinas is the smaller, cheaper alternative a short walk away. And whatever you do, do not leave without crossing to Costa Nova, the next entry on this list.

3. Costa Nova

Fifteen minutes from Aveiro, across the lagoon, Costa Nova is the row of candy-striped houses you have probably seen on Pinterest without knowing where it was. The palheiros were fishermen’s storage huts before they became holiday homes, and the stripes were painted so the fishermen could find their own hut in the fog. I visited Costa Nova in just one morning after driving from Aveiro to Lisbon during an amazing road trip itinerary that I will share in a bit. (You can bookmark this post and get back in a week or two and find it linked here)

Most people photograph the houses and leave, which is a mistake. Walk over the dunes to the ocean side and you get a long, wide Atlantic beach with proper waves, a completely different world from the calm lagoon in front of the striped facades. The fish market in the middle of town is small but real, and the seafood restaurants around it feed locals, not just day trippers. I wished I had more time too.

Getting there: 15 minutes by car from Aveiro, about 1 hour from Porto. Combine it with Aveiro in the same day; you do not need to sleep here. For photographers: come before 9 am. The light on the stripes is best in the morning and the tour groups from Porto arrive around 10.

Silver Coast towns on Portugal’s west coast

4. Nazaré

I spent three months living in Nazaré, so consider this entry biased and correct. In winter this is the town where the ocean shows off: the biggest waves ever surfed break at Praia do Norte, and watching them from the red lighthouse on the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo was one of the most exciting things I have seen in my life. The big wave world records happen here, and when the swell arrives the whole town walks up to watch. I wrote a full guide to Nazaré’s giant waves with the best viewpoints and the season to catch them.

The rest of the year Nazaré goes back to being a Portuguese beach town, and a good one: a long crescent of sand, women in traditional seven skirts selling dried fish along the promenade, and the funicular climbing to the Sítio, the clifftop upper town where the Mirante do Suberco viewpoint hangs 100 meters above the beach. Give it two or three nights minimum; my guide to things to do in Nazaré covers the rest.

I prefer to stay in an apartment and I stayed in two different places while in Nazare, all equally cute and affordable. One time, it was Casa Duarte, up the hill overlooking the beach and the lighthouse, and the other time, it was Salty Apartment in the historical center, not convenient for parking but manageable and at a few steps from the beach and the restaurants.

Other hotel options, equally well located, with ocean views, are the Adega Oceano Hotel and the Hotel Ribamar. The fact is that Nazaré has an abundant supply of lodging, from the most luxurious to very cool hostels.

5. São Martinho do Porto

Twenty minutes south of Nazaré, São Martinho do Porto sits on a bay shaped like a shell, so enclosed that the Atlantic arrives flat as a lake. During my three months in Nazaré watching waves the size of buildings, this was where I came when I wanted to actually swim. Same coast, opposite personality.

The bay makes it the best swimming spot on this part of the Portuguese coast for anyone who does not want to fight waves, which is why Portuguese families have been coming here for generations. The boardwalk runs around the bay to Salir do Porto, where a giant dune drops into the river mouth. Being close to Nazare I went there a couple of times during my stay in Nazare. I loved walking along the beach and the dunes and watching the sunset. There’s an amazing lookout point on the hills above the bay from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the town and Praia da Grapha on the other side.

Getting there: 20 minutes by car from Nazaré, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Lisbon. Where to stay: I would stay in Nazaré, to be honest, but if you want to stay here, this hotel has the best reviews. Solo note: this is one of the easiest towns on this list for a woman traveling alone, small, flat, and busy with families until late in the evening.

6. Peniche

Peniche sits on a rocky peninsula about ten kilometers around, and it is a fishing town to its bones, which means two things: serious waves and serious sardines. Praia dos Supertubos south of town produces a barreling wave surfers call the European Pipeline, and the world’s best come here every autumn to compete. On the calmer side of the peninsula, Baleal is where everyone else learns, a sandy strip with surf schools and enough wind for windsurfing.

In town, the 16th century fortress spent the dictatorship years as a political prison and carries that history soberly. And then there is the food. Peniche claims the best sardines in Portugal and I have not found a stronger claim elsewhere; order them grilled at Os Americanos, Tasca do Joel, or Taberna do Ganhão, or go for caldeirada, the fishermen’s stew. In summer, boats run to the Berlengas, the granite island reserve offshore with a fort on its own islet; book the first boat out and the water is at its clearest.

I came here on a day trip from Nazare, and I wished I had stayed longer. I didn’t make it to the Berlengas because it was off-season.

Beach towns near Lisbon

7. Ericeira

Ericeira is the only World Surfing Reserve in Europe, one of just a handful on the planet, and the town wears it well. The center is whitewashed houses trimmed in blue above cliffs, and below the cliffs a chain of beaches runs north, each with its own wave.

You do not need to surf to enjoy it. Praia dos Pescadores is the town beach where the fishing boats still come in, and watching the surfers at Ribeira d’Ilhas from the clifftop cafe is a legitimate afternoon plan. The seafood here is some of the best near Lisbon; this is a town where you order percebes and the seafood rice without checking the price first, then regret it slightly, then order it again the next day.

I went to Ericera a couple of times on a day trip from Lisbon, and I have been seriously considering spending a couple of months there. I really love the laid-back atmosphere and surfing vibes, even if I don’t surf.

Getting there: 45 minutes by car northwest of Lisbon, 25 minutes from Sintra, so it pairs naturally with a Sintra day. Direct buses run from Lisbon’s Campo Grande. Where to stay: Swellnest for a luxury stay, Vinnus Guest House for a mid-range price. Solo note: the surf crowd makes this one of the easiest places on the coast to eat alone without anyone blinking.

8. Azenhas do Mar

With approximately 800 inhabitants and located near the mystical Sintra castles, Azenhas do Mar is a small town on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic coast. Azenhas do Mar is actually a perfect day trip from Lisbon since it is only 17 miles away.

And it also makes a great place to stay near Sintra. I actually stayed in Casa Bolacha a beautiful one-bedroom apartment in Colares at 10 minutes from Azenhas and 30 minutes drive from Sintra and loved it.

Literally embedded in the coastal cliffs, this quiet fishing town offers a beautiful beach, incredible views, and delicious seafood.

A unique characteristic of Azenhas do Mar is its little white houses with traditional tiles on their facades. It is like something out of a movie!

Right from the start, what draws visitors’ attention is the natural pool between the village and the sea, ideal for cooling off on summer days.

Another place that deserves your attention is the Belvedere, from where you have a very privileged panoramic view of the village and the sea.

Besides enjoying the spectacular scenery, you should also visit the watermill! After all, this is the one that gives the small village its name.

Also, a valuable tip is to have a meal at the Restaurant Azenhas do Mar, which is set on the rock and has several environments, some of them open and overlooking the sea.

9. Cascais

Featuring both mountain and sea views, Cascais is yet another town very close to both Lisbon and Sintra.

Paradisiacal beaches, culture, history, and leisure define Cascais, making it a very sought-after place by tourists.

Among Cascais’ highlights are its city center, the rock formation of Boca do Inferno, the fortress of Cascais Citadel, and, of course, Cascais beaches. Praia do Albano, Praia do Guincho and Praia da Rainha are destinations that cannot be missed on your itinerary.

The fishing village is a charm! Its houses and cobbled streets are beautiful, and its buildings are very colorful.

You can shop in the local stores and stroll through the parks, squares, and museums. Cascais has plenty of good restaurants, with food from all over the world and for all tastes.

On the way to Guincho beach is one of the best restaurants to eat clams, Furnas do Guincho. Another equally good option is Monte Maro, the one Michelin-star restaurant in the Fortaleza do Guincho hotel.

Finally, if you are in search of dessert, the Bijou de Cascais pastry shop serves traditional sweets, and the Gelados Santini offers delicious fruit sorbets.

10. Costa da Caparica

Cross the bridge south of Lisbon and you hit Costa da Caparica, the beach the Lisboetas keep for themselves while the tourists queue for the train to Cascais. The sand runs uninterrupted for kilometers down the coast, and the beach promenade is one of my favorite walks near Lisbon. I stayed right on the beach here, and although I was exploring more south to the nearby Arrabida natural park during the day, the evenings were all about walking along the beach promenade at sunset,

The town itself is unpolished, more surf shops and fish restaurants than old world atmosphere, and that is the appeal: this is a working beach town where you hear Portuguese on the sand. In summer the little Transpraia beach train runs south along the dunes, dropping you at progressively quieter beaches until you find one that is nearly yours alone.

Getting there: 25 to 30 minutes by car from Lisbon across the 25 de Abril bridge, or direct bus. You do not need a car once you are there.

Where to stay: Caparica Sea View Apartment, GuestReady – Stay at Costa da Caparica, WOT Costa da Caparica.

Solo note: busy with local families and surfers well into the evening, and the promenade makes a safe, obvious route for a morning walk or run alone.

11. Sesimbra

South of Lisbon, backed by the green slopes of the Arrábida hills, Sesimbra is still a working fishing town first and a beach town second, which is exactly why I like it. The fish that comes off the boats here ends up grilled on the seafront the same evening.

The town beaches are calm and sheltered, and the Moorish castle above town is worth the drive up for the view over the bay. If you have a car, the beaches of the Arrábida Natural Park start just east of town, with water so clear it looks borrowed from somewhere much further south, and Cabo Espichel’s clifftop sanctuary is 15 minutes west.

Where to stay – Zambujal Suites.
Getting there: about 40 minutes by car south of Lisbon across the bridge. No train; the bus from Lisbon takes around an hour.
Solo note: lively seafront until late, quiet streets behind it, easy to navigate alone.

12. Setúbal

Setúbal is the entry on this list that surprises people, because it is a working port city, not a postcard. That is the point. The Mercado do Livramento is one of the best fish markets in Portugal, the kind where you understand the country’s relationship with the ocean in ten minutes, and the city’s fried cuttlefish, choco frito, is a dish locals drive from Lisbon for.

From the harbor you can take a boat into the Sado estuary, home to a resident group of bottlenose dolphins, or ride the ferry across to the Tróia peninsula, where a long strip of white sand runs down the coast with far fewer people than anything this close to Lisbon deserves. If Sesimbra is where you go for the beach town evening, Setúbal is where you go to see the coast at work.

I actually did the opposite. Since I was driving, I parked the car away from the city center and walked to the historic center to take some photos, and I really enjoyed the narrow streets, cute cafes and shops. I found Setubal much prettier than Sesimbra, despite being a port city. Then I drove all the way to Comporta, checked out the beaches and all the way to Troia, where I got the ferry back to Setubal. It was a pleasant journey that could be done in one day. Once I arrived back in Setubal in the evening, I had the time to visit the castle and get some nice shots.

Getting there: about 45 minutes by car south of Lisbon, and it also works by train. Pair it with Sesimbra and the Arrábida beaches for a full day or an overnight.
Where to stay: Bocage Penthouse.
Solo note: a real city with real routines, easy to move around alone, and the market is best solo anyway since you will want to take your time.

The southwest coast: Costa Vicentina

13. Odeceixe

Odeceixe enchants from the peacefulness of the village to its natural beauty: its windmill, the picturesque village, and its beach.

Next to the Seine River, the village sits on the green hills of the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina, with rich fauna and flora.

The cute town marks the border between the Algarve and the Alentejo. On steep hillsides, it has little white houses and lively restaurants with tables on the sidewalk on weekends.

Located down the valley, Odeceixe Beach is classified as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal, and you can bathe in the river and sea.

The clear water is so incredible that the whole scenario transmits great calmness and peace. The beach is also quite popular amongst local surfers.

The best accommodations in Odeceixe village include Casas do Moinho Turismo de Aldeia with renovated and well-decorated village houses, and the Monte do Cardal with its relaxing pool.

14. Aljezur

Now, moving a bit more to the south, Aljezur is considered the heart of the Vincentian coast, or better yet the West Coast of the Algarve!

Usually overlooked by tourists looking for the more popular cities in southern Portugal, such as Albufeira, it is a hot spot among locals, either during the summer months for sunbathing or in the winter for surfing.

In addition to the traditional Portuguese appearance of the infrastructure and historical remains, the beauty of the region is enhanced by the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina.

Aljezur is distinguished by its stunning landscapes, geological wealth, and the best beaches in Portugal, including Arrifana Beach, Vale dos Homens Beach, Vale Figueira Beach, Cordoama Beach, and Castelejo Beach.

In addition, Aljezur also holds plenty of history, and the Aljezur Castle with its two towers and a cistern still tells all about it.

The lodging options are quite varied and also well spread around Aljezur. Some beaches are practically deserted and have no options, but the most popular places have options nearby. Some good choices are Arrifana Ocean View Guest House and Aljezur Villas Hostel.

Algarve coastal towns on the south coast

15. Sagres

Also part of the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, the West Coast, Sagres is a village in the municipality of Vila do Bispo.

With beautiful beaches, high cliffs, rocky outcrops, and an immense blue ocean that alternates between shades of green and blue, Sagres is most popular for its natural scenery.

Also, famous for surfing, Sagres breathes water sports. You will probably see its waters filled with surfboards, especially if you visit Zavial Beach, Tonel Beach, or Ponta Ruiva Beach.

Not to mention Beliche Beach, where you will also find one of the best restaurants in Sagres, Terra Restaurant.

Interestingly, Sagres was considered for many centuries as the end of the known world and when you visit the Cabo São Vicente, you understand why. With a historic red lighthouse, the cape is the most southwestern point in Europe.

Another historic landmark is the Sagres Fortress, built between the 11^th and 18^th centuries.

And a tip that is worth gold if you are looking for the best souvenirs in Portugal: the store Artesanato a Mó has a very photogenic facade and offers handicrafts and Portuguese ceramics.

16. Lagos

Lagos boasts some of the most beautiful golden beaches of the Algarve. For example, Praia da Dona Ana has been elected one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

However, the beaches of Batata, Luz, Pinhão, Camilo, and Porto de Mós are just as wonderful, and you should take the time to visit them all.

Overall, Lagos is a warm, carefree, quiet town with many tourist and cultural interests. It is the perfect place for those who like to combine beach and culture.

Lagos also has some historic landmarks worth mentioning, such as the Old Town, Avenida dos Descobrimentos, Municipal Market, Lagos Marina, and Forte da Ponta da Bandeira.

With its picturesque historic center and wide range of local restaurants and bars, Lagos is the perfect city to base your Algarve itinerary.

With its trendy style and numerous bars, Lagos is also a great place to go out drinking during your trip!

With delicious Mexican food, the Green Room – Burritos & Cocktails is a great option if you’re looking for a snack to pair with your cocktail. And if you want to know more about accommodations, check out my article on where to stay in Lagos, where I share different options for any budget.

17. Carvoeiro

Carvoeiro started as a fishing village wedged into a break in the Algarve cliffs, and the old center still funnels down to a small town beach framed by ochre rock on both sides.

The reason to base here is what surrounds it. The wooden boardwalk east of town leads to Algar Seco, where the cliffs have eroded into arches and blowholes you can walk through, and a few minutes further you reach the sea caves of Benagil, which I have covered in its own guide, and Praia da Marinha, one of the most photographed beaches in Portugal. You can tick all of them from Carvoeiro in a single unhurried day.

Getting there: about 15 minutes by car from Ferragudo, 30 from Lagos, 50 from Faro airport.

Where to stay: Casa Flandriana, Casas de Carvoeiro by Sevencollection

Solo note: compact and easy on foot, though the cliff paths deserve daylight; do the boardwalk in the morning when the light on the rock is better anyway.

18. Ferragudo

Ferragudo is located in the municipality of Lagoa, between the city of Portimão and the village of Carvoeiro, also in the Algarve region.

With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the destination has become increasingly frequent in the itineraries of domestic and foreign tourists.

Not for nothing, Ferragudo is enchanted mainly by its charming historic center on the banks of the Arade River, the delicious gastronomy, and the paradisiacal beaches surrounded by dramatic cliffs.

With just over 1500 inhabitants, this small fishing village mixes picturesque scenery with a bucolic atmosphere.

Be sure to wander unhurriedly through the whitewashed narrow streets and gaze at the view of the Arade River and Ferragudo’s coastline filled with colorful fishing boats.

In addition, you can visit the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, one of Ferragudo’s oldest historical monuments, located opposite the São João Castle.

Some of the other attractions in Ferragudo are the Farol da Ponta do Altar and the mouth of the Arade river itself.

The coastal strip of Ferragudo has nine beaches, of which I highlight Praia da Angrinha, Praia Grande, and Praia dos Caneiros. A complete itinerary of Ferragudo should include a boat trip to the caves of Lagoa, which includes the unique Benagil Cave.

19. Tavira

Unlike many of the resort towns in the Algarve, Tavira is a bit more reminiscent of the countryside, mainly because of its slower pace.

Visiting Tavira is a lesson of history, popular culture, and the strong ties between its population and the river and sea waters that sustain it.

Connected by bridges, the Old and the Roman bridges, the city of 37 churches is also known as the “Venice of the Algarve”. Some of Tavira’s main attractions include Praça da República, Largo da Misericórdia, Castelo de Tavira, Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo, and Jardim do Coreto.

Tavira also has some of the best Algarve beaches right there at Tavira Island: the Terra Estreita beach, the naturist beach of Naked Man, and Praia do Barril, where you will be surprised by a graveyard of anchors.

So, you can only imagine that the best way to explore Tavira’s coast is through a boat tour visiting a few of the sand barrier islands of Ria Formosa.

In addition, Tavira offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all tastes, needs, and wallets. Budget accommodation is at HI Tavira – Pousada de Juventude.

The cheapest accommodations are usually Residencial Marés and Taah Billa Guest House. The Hotel Vila Galé Tavira is the perfect option for those looking for comfort. And for a luxury stay, there is no place like the Pousada Convento Tavira.

Island towns: Madeira and the Azores

20. Funchal

Visiting Funchal is one of the first things we do when visiting the island of Madeira since the city is the capital of the archipelago.

As a bonus, because of its strategic position with good accessibility, you can explore many attractions of Madeira from Funchal.

In addition, Funchal has many museums, stores, restaurants, and hotels and is the city with the best infrastructure on the island.

Some of the best places and experiences not to be missed when visiting Funchal include walking around Funchal’s main square, visiting Funchal’s Cathedral and the Lavradores Fish Market, going up in the cable car, exploring the Botanical Gardens, walking around the Old Town, and of course, tasting the local cuisine of Madeira Island.

Between grilled limpets, bolo do caco with butter, and seafood kebabs, you will fall in love with the local gastronomy.

Depending on where you are staying in Funchal, you can walk, eat, and browse the stores without depending on a car all the time.

The best hotels in Funchal are Belmond Reid’s Palace and Quinta da Casa Branca. Hotel Porto Mare, and Castanheiro Boutique Hotel are other famous hotels in Madeira’s capital.

21. Horta, Faial

Horta, on the island of Faial in the Azores, is one of Portugal’s most charming towns, offering a mix of history, maritime culture, and stunning landscapes. I have been there twice and it never stops to fascinate me. I believe it’s one of my favorites among the Azores Islands.

Nestled between the Atlantic and the volcanic backdrop of Monte da Guia, this small town has long been a stopping point for sailors crossing the ocean.

One of its most iconic spots is Peter Café Sport, a legendary sailor’s bar that has been welcoming travelers for over a century. It’s the perfect place to hear seafaring stories while sipping on their famous gin and tonic. The marina is another highlight, filled with colorful paintings left by passing yachts as a tradition for good luck.

Horta also boasts breathtaking viewpoints, like Miradouro da Espalamaca, which offers panoramic views of the town and nearby Pico Island. The volcanic Capelinhos area, just outside Horta, is a fascinating lunar-like landscape that tells the story of Faial’s last major eruption in 1957.

With its relaxed atmosphere, fresh seafood, and deep-rooted maritime heritage, Horta is indeed a hidden gem, too often overlooked. Explore its cobbled streets, watch the sunset over the marina, and make sure you don’t miss a whale-watching trip. Horta is definitely one of a kind.

22. Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel

Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel in the Azores, is one of those towns that instantly feels welcoming. With its black-and-white mosaic streets, historic buildings, and oceanfront views, it has just the right mix of old-world charm and island vibes.

I have lived in Sao Miguel for about 3 months in total, and I can say Ponta Delgada makes a great place to stay for long-term travelers, offering a mix of small-town vibes and the comfort and service of a big city.

At the heart of town, the iconic Portas da Cidade—the grand archway—sets the scene for a leisurely stroll through the historic center. The nearby Church of São Sebastião, with its intricate Manueline details, is a must-see, but honestly, just wandering the streets, stopping for a coffee at an outdoor café, and soaking in the atmosphere is what makes Ponta Delgada special.

The marina is always buzzing, with boats heading out for whale-watching tours and locals enjoying the seaside promenade. If you’re up for an adventure, the town is the perfect base for exploring São Miguel’s natural wonders—Sete Cidades, with its stunning twin lakes, is just a short drive away, as is the breathtaking Lagoa do Fogo.

Although you don’t need a car to explore the town, I would recommend renting a car in Ponta Delgada to explore the rest of the island at your own pace.

23. Angra do Heroísmo

Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira island, was the first real city in the Azores, and its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. The streets run in straight colorful lines down to a harbor that spent four centuries as the Atlantic’s most important stopover, and the whole town still feels built around the sea.

Climb or drive up Monte Brasil, the volcano that shelters the bay, for the view that explains why every ship crossing the Atlantic once stopped here. In town, the império chapels painted in bright colors are unique to Terceira, and if you time your visit with one of the island’s festivals you will see why Terceirans have a reputation as the Azoreans who know how to have fun.

I spent a week in Terceira, staying at a 20-minute drive from Angra, but if I had to go back, I would rather stay closer or within the city so I can enjoy it in the evening too.

Getting there: direct flights to Terceira from Lisbon and inter island flights from São Miguel and Faial. The town itself is walkable; rent a car to see the rest of the island.

Where to stay: Boutique Hotel Teatro, Pousada de Angra do Heroismo Castelo de S. Sebastiao, AngrA+

Solo note: like the rest of the Azores, this is about as low stress as solo travel gets, small scale, safe, and people talk to you.

Portugal Coastal Towns: Quick Questions

What is the prettiest coastal town near Lisbon?

Azenhas do Mar, for the white village stacked on the cliff, though Ericeira is the better place to actually spend a night. Both are under an hour from Lisbon, and both beat the crowds at Cascais for photography.

Which coastal towns in Portugal work without a car?

Cascais and Matosinhos are the easy ones, reached by train from Lisbon and metro from Porto. Lagos and Tavira work by train with some planning. For everywhere else on this list, especially the Silver Coast and Costa Vicentina, you will want a car, and honestly the driving is half the pleasure of this coast.

Silver Coast or Algarve for a first trip?

Algarve if you want warm swimming water and infrastructure; Silver Coast if you want lower prices, bigger scenery, and fewer tourists. When I am planning a trip to the Portuguese coast for someone who has never been, I usually say Algarve first, Silver Coast second.

Which Coastal Town Should You Pick?

If you only have time for one base, I would make it Lagos for a first Algarve trip, Ericeira if you want the coast plus Sintra within reach, and São Martinho do Porto for a quiet week by calm water. For the big wave show, come to Nazaré between October and March; I watched the world record waves from the lighthouse and nothing on this coast compares. The full comparison of all 23 towns is in the table at the top of this post.

Continue Planning Your Portugal Coast Trip

If you are building a route out of these towns, start with my Portugal itinerary, then the Algarve itinerary for the south and my guide to things to do in Nazaré for the Silver Coast. Flying into the islands instead? Here is my Azores travel guide.

If you liked this post consider subscribing to my newsletter to get notified every time I post a new article 🙂